BERLIN, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Three NATO-led German soldiers were seriously wounded Thursday by a roadside mine planted by Taliban militants in northern Afghanistan, the German news agency DPA reported.

    The soldiers were patrolling Chardara district of the relatively peaceful northern province of Kunduz when the blast occurred, the provincial governor of Kunduz, Mohammad Omar, was quoted as saying.

    "A mine, planted by Taliban militants in the Qasab area of the district, hit a NATO forces' tank. The tank was damaged and three German soldiers were seriously wounded," Omar said.

    Taliban militants have already claimed responsibility for the attack, saying "in Qasab village of Chardara, a NATO tank was blown up by a mine, planted on the road by our mujahideen."

    The statement, which was posted on the rebels' website, said the allied forces' tank was "completely destroyed and 13 soldiers inside the vehicle were killed or wounded."

    Germany has around 3,500 soldiers in the country as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, with the bulk of them stationed in the northern region.

    German authorities have so far withstood pressure from other NATO members, including the United States, to send soldiers to the southern region, where forces from other alliance members are fighting the Taliban.